The Mansfield Tigers hosted the County Line Indians Friday night. The Indians who were riding an 11 game win streak looked the part in a 63-48 win over the Tigers. County Line started the game on an 8-0 run but back to back three point baskets by Tyler Escalante cut the lead to 2. The Indians would use an 8-2 run to finish the quarter and take the early 16-8 lead.
The Indians would open up the 2nd quarter on a 6-2 run to extend their lead, 22-10 before Clint Stovall would hit a 3-pointer from the corner. After exchanging a few free throws, and the score 23-14, Stovall would hit his second 3-pointer in the quarter. But the Indians would answer right back, hitting a three of their own from Cooper Watson making the score 26-17. On the next possession, Escalante would hit his third three of the game off of an offensive rebound. Watson would add another put-back of his own, taking us into the half 28-20.
The Tigers would get the scoring started in the third quarter with a Zayne Dugan basket but again the Indians would answer with a Watson 3 pointer. Escalante would add a two point basket on the next possession, making the score 31-24 but the Indians would use an 8-0 run to extend their lead to 39-24. The Indians would outscore the Tigers 16-6 over the next four minutes and take a 55-32 lead into the 4th quarter.
The Indians opened up the 4th quarter with three made free throws on two trips to the foul line. The Tigers would then use a 15-2 run to cut the lead to 13 , 60-47 but that would be as close as they could get. The final from Tiger Gymnasium, 63-48.
Coach Joshua Brown, “We looked out of sync defensively and that’s on me. County Line is a tough match-up for anyone. I didn’t have us ready defensively. I thought our guys competed until the end. We got it to 13 with about two and a half minutes to go. Proud of their fight. We have to come back Sunday and get ready for Hackett.”
The Tigers had three guys in double digits. Clint Stovall and Tyler Escalante each had 13 and Ethan Pettus had 10. County Line was led in scoring by Aundrae Milum with 22 points, Cooper Watson with 19 and Caleb Soller with 11.
Mansfield will take on Hackett Monday night at home. Games will start at 4:00 with the Lady Tigers Jr. High team. The Jr. Tigers, Sr. Girls and Sr. Boys will follow.
Mansfield will travel to Havana to take on the Western Yell County Wolverines on Tuesday beginning at 4:00 p.m. The Jr. Girls will start the night off. Jr. Boys, Sr. Girls and Sr. Boys will follow.
